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The Buckley School connection to the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council

In his latest entry, Sherman Oaks NC member and bloggerZach Behrens explores the voting patterns in the recent SONC election, which elevated him to the lofty post. Vote totals in the SONC election were low but not exactly even across the represented area’s various districts.

One District was quite different. In Area 7, almost 300 people voted (68% of the total vote). Why was the turnout so much higher in Area 7? What is so different about Area 7?

The Association has learned that most of these voters ere related to the Buckley School (parents, employees, etc). Most of the voters did not live in Sherman Oaks!!! Why the interest of the non-Sherman Oaks residents? The Buckley School has plans to enlarge its campus and enrollment, and they need City approval.

So there’s a Buckley School conspiracy afoot? Well, what I’d like to know is whether or not there is a SOHA vs. SONC fight going on — in general — over who is the “voice” of Sherman Oaks. Of course, as Zach points out, the NC is NOT a homeowner-only group. It has spots for residents — renters AND homeowners — as well as business people and other “at-large” community members, referred to altogether as “stakeholders.”

When, during the recent VNNC meeting, chairman James “Jamie” Cordaro referred, as he did many times, to those in his meeting’s audience as “the stakeholders of Van Nuys,” it had a non-California, non-L.A. feel to it that was not in the slightest way unpleasing. The idea that somebody in L.A. or state government gives a rat’s ass about what a non-financial-contributor thinks is … rare and refreshing. (But am I being snowed?)

So Zach, is the SOHA aiming for a SONC takeover — trying to get its own people into as many of the seats as possible? Guess I’d better ask Richard Close.

In response to the generally low vote totals, Zach says he has learned this from SOHA:

— Hold meetings in an easily accessible and comfortable environment

— Consistent presense in the Sherman Oaks Sun

— Consistent flyering of the monthly newsletter

— Warm food at meetings always helps too

The Van Nuys NC, at its monthly meeting, proffered wrap-style sandwiches, chips and bottled water. Not bad. I don’t imagine that the L.A. City Council offers refreshments. And I second you (see, it’s NC talk) on the community outreach via ads and the like. An e-mail list is also essential.

Hey stakeholders! Between all the committee meetings and the regular meeting — all for no pay, of course — Zach has taken on quite a task here, being a member (is it “board member,” or “executive board member”?) of the neighborhood council. I applaud his dedication and encourage each and every one of you out there to attend your next neighborhood council meeting. If you don’t know — or need comfirmation of — the meeting time and place, call the very helpful Department of Neighborhood Empowerment‘s Van Nuys City Hall satellite office at (818) 374-9898.